Went for my evening ride only to....

get disappointed. As you know, in the desert we don't get much rain except during monsoon season. We had some serious rain over the last weekend, enough to completely wash out some of the local trails. I tried to ride the Anasazi Loop Sunday morning only to hit a clay section that completely locked my bike up from all the gunk. So much so that it actually wore the paint off where the wheel meets the upper frame in the rear of the bike. (No biggie - IMO rubs, scratches, and marks are all signs of MTB badges of honor...) I went back out tonight after work to the same loop only to find that half the 3 mile loop became washed out in stupid deep sand. No offense to Airborne, but these tires are HORRIFIC in deep sand. I checked pressures after the ride, 28 in the front and 35 in the rear - that should be sufficient in the loose stuff, but I dabbed out more than I care to admit. Hopefully soon with enough riders the single-track will get a nice re-pack. For S&G I went for a fast lap in the conditions for the first time since my Goblin purchase. My fast lap with the Giant Revel2 was 12:20 - with the conditions as they were, I ran a 11:10 with the Goblin. I was stoked! If the conditions were like they were with the Giant, I probably could have gotten a 10:30, but that is just speculation at this point.

Anywhoo... I took a couple pics as I am a camera/Goblin junkie with a capital J (can I get an Airborne Porne!). As always, full-size 3648x2736 images are available. Who says I do not put my Goblin on a pedestal? Enjoy my Airborne Brethren, may your trails be smooth!

No one tire does everything well. A tire that works well in very loose soil or sand is likely to slow you down on hard pack.

I have no experience with the AKA, but I'd bet they do well for what Geax recommends.

I run a 29x2.0 WTB Nineline. I ride 50/50 asphalt/off road. The tire works great on our local trails AND it is a good tire for commuting. I have ridden it in some sand and it works about as we'll as you said the AKA did. But it does what I need it to 99% of the time.

I hear you fellas! I ran WTB Velociraptors on the 26er, a bit heavy, but they sure did hook up on the loose stuff. Too bad they don't make them for 29ers. After last nights ride I will be on the lookout for something similar to replace the Geax rubber. I do like the way they hook up on slickrock though.

Have a great day everyone! 10 hours to go!

Money doesn't buy happiness, but you can buy a bike, and that is pretty close.

I'm having really good luck in deep loose pack sand on my 26er with 26x2.25 CST Caballero's at 37psi front and rear. They're available in 29x2.25. They roll somewhat slow on hard pack but grip well on wet rocks and roots and are cheap enough as a second set of tires.

Thanks jh! I like the tread on the CTK's - they look like they can hold the sand in better than the small blocks. Lots of good reviews on the tire as well. Are you (or can we) run the 2.4's on the Goblin?

Money doesn't buy happiness, but you can buy a bike, and that is pretty close.

Unsure. I'm riding 2.2s and they're great. I *think* a 2.4 might fit, but BDF would have to tell you for sure. I prefer wider - 2.4, 2.5 tires on all my bikes, but honestly, the 2.2s are great on my Hobgoblin. I think I may be dangerous if I moved up to a 2.4

So then it might be wise to go 2.2 just to be sure of the fit - I would hate to order tires only to find out they would be too wide to fit the frame of the bike. It is slowly getting dialed in, I ordered a 70mm stem to compensate for the reach today, which should be here Monday. I will get in a few rides under that new stem before I pull the trigger on the tires as I am not sure how much different the bike will react.

Thank you for all the help!!

Money doesn't buy happiness, but you can buy a bike, and that is pretty close.